(06/17/11 4:00am)
Prof. Susan J. Birren (BIOL) will serve as the new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, according to a campuswide e-mail from University President Frederick Lawrence. Birren will succeed current Dean Adam Jaffe, who served in the position for 8 years. According to the announcement, her tenure as dean will begin July 1. In an interview with the Justice, Provost-elect Steve A.N. Goldstein '78 said that Jaffe will be on sabbatical for the 2011-2012 academic year before returning to the Department of Economics. Birren said, in an interview with the Justice, that Jaffe did an "excellent job" during his term as dean and that she was excited about her future role. "It's such an opportunity to really interact with this university at a completely different level with colleagues of different disciplines ... and really do what I can to foster research, education and teaching and all these different components of the University that come together," said Birren. Birren, who earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, currently conducts research on the development of the nervous system and the establishment of functional circuits. She is affiliated with the National Center for Behavioral Genomics; the Volen Center for Complex Systems; the Health: Science, Society and Policy Program; and the Department of Psychology. Additionally, Birren has served as chair of the Committee on Centers and Institutes and been recognized for her work in developmental neurobiology. According to the announcement, the decision was based on recommendations from a search committee appointed by Provost Marty Krauss. The committee, according to a March 15 Justice article, was chaired by Prof. Robin Feuer Miller (GRALL) and was also comprised of Profs. Peter Conrad (SOC), Sarah Lamb (ANTH), Eve Marder (NPSY), Charles McClendon (FA), Dean of Career Services at the Hiatt Career Center Joseph Du Pont, Assistant Vice President of the Office of Budget and Planning Kris McKeigue, Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Ph.D. candidate Daniel Schwartz and undergraduate student Gabrielle Kaplan '13. According to the Justice article, the committee sought nominations from the Brandeis faculty for a candidate that was already a member of the University's faculty. This process was different from the search for Provost Marty Krauss' successor, which resulted in the appointment of Goldstein-a professor of pediatrics from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine Goldstein said that the committee encountered difficulty narrowing down 30 "strong" candidates during the first round but said that Birren had a "long list of superlatives" that made her stand out from the other candidates, including her international recognition as a scholar and her embrace of the University's mission, in addition to her vision of the University that is "much broader than the sciences." Birren said that the possibility of her serving as dean resulted from her service on the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, where she was able to work with faculty members of different disciplinary backgrounds. She also served on other committees and eventually became chair of the UCC. "It made me realize that we live in such a diverse interdisciplinary and disciplinary world. ... I"ve really grown to appreciate the opportunity to work with this very broad range of people who are interested in different but fascinating things." In the announcement, Miller called Birren a "great addition to [Lawrence's] stellar steam." Lawrence called Birren a "distinguished scholar, an experienced academic leader and a talented educator" in his e-mail. Goldstein said that Birren was "energetic and thoughtful" and that she would serve the University "beautifully" during her upcoming term. "She brings everything to the table that you would want in the dean of [the College of] Arts and Sciences," said Goldstein. "I could not be more enthusiastic." Editor's note: This is an updated version of a breaking news article that was posted earlier. Open in Google Docs Viewer Open link in new tab Open link in new window Open link in new incognito window Download file Copy link address Edit PDF File on PDFescape.com Open in Google Docs Viewer Open link in new tab Open link in new window Open link in new incognito window Download file Copy link address Edit PDF File on PDFescape.com Open in Google Docs Viewer Open link in new tab Open link in new window Open link in new incognito window Download file Copy link address Edit PDF File on PDFescape.com Open in Google Docs Viewer Open link in new tab Open link in new window Open link in new incognito window Download file Copy link address Edit PDF File on PDFescape.com
(05/24/11 4:00am)
Brandeis was listed on the 2010 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, according to a May 12 BrandeisNOW press release.The University is one of over 600 colleges and universities recognized on the honor roll list for having a "exemplary, innovative, and effective community service program," according to the website for Learn and Serve America, which encourages education through community service among U.S. students and which launched the honor roll in 2006. According to the website, the honor roll list commemorates the commitments higher educational institutions have made to community services and raises awareness of their work among the public.In an interview with the Justice, Director of the Department of Community Service Lucas Malo said that recognition on the honor roll was "phenomenal.""It was an honor," said Malo. "It speaks to our student body and the work that [they] are doing."Malo referenced programs that students started and participated in, such as Junior Brandeis Achievers, an after-school program in Waltham elementary schools; Language and Cultural Enrichment, a tutoring program for English Language Learning students in order to work with kids to develop their English; and WATCH Tenant Advocacy Clinic, which provides Waltham residents with free legal advice regarding housing rights. Information on these and other community service projects can be found on the Waltham Group website, said Malo.Malo said that the application process to be on the honor roll was "eye-opening." "It really allowed us to look at all our social justice efforts and pull them together," he said. According to Malo, Brandeis students put in about 40,000 hours of community service last year. Malo said that the recognition "paints a very positive picture" of students and the University and also helps community service groups on campus reach out to potential donors in order to receive funding for current and future products.In addition, Malo said that he was glad that both the University and the students were recognized for their community service effors. "No way could we have gotten this honor without our students," said Malo. "Our students are basically staff members with the work that they're doing."Malo said that this is the first time that the University has been recognized on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. According to the BrandeisNOW press release, an award will be presented at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in New Orleans in June.
(05/24/11 4:00am)
Correction AppendedStudents were required to return their Cisco IP phones to Library and Technology Services at the end of the semester after it discontinued its room phone services, due to a "dramatic decline" in interest and usage of the room phones, according to the LTS website and May 4 e-mails from Community Development Coordinators to the Brandeis community. The Board of Trustees originally passed a budget for fiscal 2011 during a March 23, 2010 meeting that included the initiative to stop distribution of room phones, according to an April 20, 2010 Justice article. The LTS website stated that students have been using their cell phones more often to make calls. The discontinuation is also a part of the removal of wired network services in campus dorms with upgrades to the wireless service, according to the website.According to Director of Network and Systems John Turner in an April 5 Justice article, these upgrades to the network, part of a $6 million capital project, are scheduled to strengthen the signal of the existing network and are scheduled to be completed by the end of summer 2012.A smaller version of these type of wireless upgrades has already been implemented. According to the LTS website, during renovations to the Charles River Apartments in 2010, the wired network was removed and replaced with upgrades to the wireless network and there have been few complaints of service in that area.According to the LTS website, during the fall 2010 semester, room phones were not distributed to incoming first-years but were available for students who specifically requested a room phone. Additionally, the website stated that mounted wall phones will be installed in every residence hall, suites and apartment for safety and precautionary reasons and, as before, students can also contact Public Safety with their cell phones.In an e-mail to the Justice, Turner wrote that the phone return process has gone "very smoothly."Editor's note: This article has been edited to reflect the following correction: The article originally stated that Turner did not respond to further request. The article has been updated to include Turner's response which was received by press time.
(05/24/11 4:00am)
New York Times op-ed columnist David Brooks spoke to the graduating Class of 2011 about making commitments and their correlation with happiness in an uncertain future in his keynote address during the University's 60th commencement ceremony. According to BrandeisNOW, the ceremony, which was held May 22 in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center, was attended by about 8,000 students, family members and faculty. As one of this year's six honorary degree recipients, Brooks received a degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. Executive Assistant to the President and Assistant Secretary of the Corporation John Hose described Brooks as an "oasis" of both reason and humor at the ceremony. Brooks began his speech humorously. "As I look out on this audience, the first thing I realize is that the Rapture must actually have happened yesterday," said Brooks. "because, from the looks of it, America is now 50 percent Jewish." He later gave advice for the graduates' futures while reflecting on their pasts. "Young Americans today live the most supervised childhoods in American history," said Brooks. He referenced cartoon images of the "Tiger Moms, Über-moms and Helicopter Parents" who raise their children to be well-rounded and extremely accomplished. "So, by the time these Über-mom kids will apply to college, they will have cured four formerly fatal diseases, started three companies, done environmental awareness training in Tibet and competed in the Olympic trials in some completely obscure sport like fencing or competitive yoga," joked Brooks. "Over the past 15 years of your life, you have been funneled through a set of rigorous and supervised institutions. The paths have been marked out; the grades you had to get and the tests you had to do well on," said Brooks. "But, starting today, or in a few years when some of you leave graduate school, you will shoot out into a world that is unprecedentedly wide open, with an unmarked variety of lifestyle options, a global variety of places to live, an incredibly diverse number of careers, most of which you have never even heard of." Brooks said to graduates that they are entering a "new, unmarked, un-institutionalized phase of life" where they will most likely move from job to job and location to location, sampling different careers and lifestyles. "While you do this, by the way, your parents will be going slowly insane," joked Brooks. Brooks contrasted recent graduates to those of 1960, who, Brooks said, did four things in rapid succession: received degrees, became employed, married and bought homes-all before their 30th birthdays. Brooks later referred to this period of time as "hunting for commitments," which he said requires "extraordinary skill." "You can't just commit to the first thing that comes along," said Brooks. "But you can't wait and miss your opportunities. You have to struggle against the signals of your culture and commit to serious things that will give your life significance." Brooks brought up marriage as an example, deeming it as the most important commitment in one's life. "I tell educators they should compel every student to major in marriage. Students should be compelled to take courses on the psychology of marriage, the literature of marriage, the neuroscience of marriage, the history of marriage." In addition, Brooks said that graduates should commit to solving a problem. Brooks referenced poor management, diseases like Alzheimer's and high scholastic drop-out rates as challenges to solve. Brooks told graduates that instead of answering posed questions and completing given assignments--such as in the structured world--they will have to find their own questions and assignments on which to work. According to Brooks, a Brandeis education gave graduates both an academic education as well as an emotional one, about which he said, "Learning is the byproduct as you search for pleasure" among professors and classmates. Brooks also spoke about happiness and its relation to material wealth and making commitments. "Once you hit the middle class, getting richer isn't going to make you that much happier," said Brooks. "The relationship between friendship and happiness is strong." Brooks challenged his audience to enter into "the commitment hunt" in the upcoming years, saying that happiness is achieved by engaging in such commitments. "Most of us are egotistical and most of us are self-concerned most of the time, but it's nonetheless true that life comes to a point only when the self dissolves into some larger task and summons," said Brooks. "The purpose in life is not to find yourself. It's to lose yourself." Before Brooks spoke, University President Frederick Lawrence, who conferred the honorary degrees, also addressed members of the graduating class on their futures, posing the question of whether it is "realistic to be optimistic." Lawrence gave two reasons for students to be optimistic: one being the "training" students received at Brandeis and the other being the connection students hold with each other and also with the University. Lawrence said that the training students receive at Brandeis extends beyond the academic scope into all parts of campus life, including the emotional and risk-taking aspects. On connections, Lawrence said that there is a paradox in feeling connected to other people or locations. "The paradox is this: Places do not belong to us, but we belong to places. You will always belong to this place, to its values and what it stands for," Lawrence said. The graduating Class of 2011 included 777 undergraduates, out of whom 644 graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees and 133 graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees. Out of the undergraduates, 173 graduated cum laude, 176 graduated magna cum laude and 65 graduated summa cum laude. In addition, 782 graduate students received master's degrees and 88 students received doctorates. Charlie Kivolowitz '11 said that he thought Brooks was "surprisingly funny. . I was very impressed," he said. Annie Jennings M.A. '11 said of Brooks, "He was so funny but serious at the same time. He was really inspiring." Jane Becker '11 said, "I thought [Brooks] was excellent. I confess that I hadn't known who he was, but I really enjoyed his address. I think there can be a lot of wisdom in humor. I appreciated that he was really funny." -Fiona Lockyer, Andrew Wingens and Nashrah Rahman contributed reporting.
(05/03/11 4:00am)
The faculty voted to send a proposal to raise the standards of Latin honors back to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for revision during the April 14 faculty meeting, according to Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe in an interview with the Justice. The vote to send the proposal back to the committee followed discussions in which concerns about increased competition among students were expressed as well as a proposal to hold a discussion about grading methods and grade inflation.Jaffe said that during the meeting, the discussion partially revolved around the method of raising the standards.The proposal originally stated that the top 30 percent of the graduating class would receive Latin honors, according to a March 22 Justice article. During the faculty meeting, Andy Hogan '11 and Jenna Rubin '11, who opposed the method of using a cut-off percentage, said that awarding honors based on percentages would foster competition among students. A higher cutoff GPA of 3.7 was suggested in place of a percentage, but was not passed in a vote.Currently, students must earn a 3.5 GPA to be awarded Latin honors, and graduate cum laude, according to the March 22 Justice article. Students with a 3.7 GPA graduate magna cum laude, and students who achieve a 3.8 GPA and departmental honors graduate summa cum laude.Hogan, who voiced his concerns about the proposal during the faculty meeting, said in an interview with the Justice that although he agrees the standards of distributing Latin honors should change, a cutoff percentage is not the correct method.Hogan said that the percentage method would "pit students against each other," which he said is "not the reason students come to Brandeis."According to Jaffe, having a percentage cutoff would not lead to competition among students."You would have no [way] of knowing [that] someone who was taking one of your classes was the person who would be just above you [in the ranking]" said Jaffe.In an interview with the Justice, Dean of Academic Services Kim Godsoe also said that she did not see a change in the Latin honors system increasing competition among students. "We're so steeped in the values of community [and] helping each other, that to me, Latin honors don't, in any form, encourage competition between students," said Godsoe.Another point of discussion, according to Jaffe, was an underlying issue of grade inflation. Jaffe said that because many professors distribute high grades to students, it is difficult to distinguish students who have performed well compared to their classmates. Additionally, Jaffe said that there is grade inflation in some departments, so students who major in sciences, or other subjects, where distributed grades tend to be lower, are at a disadvantage. Prof. Ray Knight (PSYC) said at the meeting that professors need to reevaluate the way that they distribute grades to students.Hogan also said that grade distribution and grade inflation are issues that need to be examined. He added that students should be a part of the discussion in moving forward. "It's always good to have discussions about what our practices are. ... I think those kind of discussions are just healthy for an institution to have," Godsoe agreed. Jaffe said that the proposal to raise Latin honors standards will be looked at; however, he also said that faculty at the meeting concurred that a discussion about grade inflation needs to take place before discussing the proposal. Jaffe said that the proposal would most likely be reviewed in the fall or later during the next academic year, after a discussion has taken place.According to Jaffe, the Faculty Senate Council, which represents the Senate in discussions with the University president and Academic deans according to Professor and Chair of the Faculty Senate Timothy Hickey (COSI) in an e-mail to the Justice, will speak with the Faculty Senate about organizing a discussion, but a date for a meeting has not been scheduled yet.
(05/03/11 4:00am)
The Justice League held three events from April 28 to April 30 hosting Brandeis alumni Andrew Slack '02, Aaron Voldman '09, Sam Vaghar '08, Joshua Kahn Russell '06 and Jay Mandel '80, all of whom spoke about activism and met with and greeted current students. According to its website, the Justice League is a campus group of activist students "standing up for our rights, standing up for Social Justice, standing up for the Brandeis that inspires us."Thursday night, the Justice League brought Slack who is the creator, co-founder, and executive director of the Harry Potter Alliance, a nonprofit organization, that according to its website, advocates human rights and equality. According to Justice League members and event coordinators Jenny Lau '14 and Liz Soolkin '14, Slack spoke in the Castle Commons about his organization, his time at Brandeis and about the Justice League itself.According to Soolkin, about 15 people attended Thursday's event, many of whom, said Lau, were first-years."It was a very intimate event," said Soolkin. Lau said that Slack also connected with students who were interested in internships with HPA. According to Soolkin and Lau, Friday's event featured Executive Director of the Student Peace Alliance Aaron Voldman '09 and Managing Director of the Millennium Campus Network Sam Vaghar '08, who spoke on their experiences and their current work. According to Soolkin and Lau, fewer people attended Friday's event, but Soolkin said that "it was definitely not quiet."On Saturday, Russell, who according to Soolkin is very involved in climate issues, and Mandel, who is involved in the Peace Circle and the Peace Room according to Sahar Massachi '11 of the Justice League, spoke on their experiences at Brandeis and their current work. According to Soolkin and Lau, about 15 people attended that event as well. "It was really interesting to see the difference in their Brandeis experiences," said Soolkin. Lau said it was great to see activists of different generations speak together.Soolkin also said that all the events were very inspirational and that it was great to see alumni interacting with students and each other. "It taught me how to become a better activist," said Lau.Soolkin and Lau said that Massachi had told them about the alumni and had already been in contact with them, and contacted one alumnus but later decided to expand the event into a weekend of events. According to Soolkin and Lau, the alumni all wanted to return to the University to speak with current students.
(05/03/11 4:00am)
Thirty-five percent of the Class of 2011 has participated in the senior class gift fundraising so far, a record percentage for this time of year, according to Senior Class Gift Committee Co-chairs Aaron Louison '11 and Jennifer Shapiro '11. The committee, which collects donations from seniors every year in recognition of faculty members to be used for clubs, departments, scholarships and the annual fund, has raised about $7,000 so far this year, according to Louison. "It's not so much about the money as it is about the participation," said Shapiro. The record for participation in fundraising is 68 percent from the Class of 2008. Louison and Shapiro said that they are aiming for 75 percent participation from the Class of 2011.According to the committee's website, the highest amount of money raised by the senior class since 1990 was $15,895.64 from the Class of 2007, with 64-percent participation. The Class of 2010 raised $12,238 with 56-percent participation.University President Frederick Lawrence said at an April 13 donor reception he would personally match the total amount of funds raised for the senior class gift, according to Shapiro and Louison. Lawrence and his wife, Kathy, hosted the reception for students who donated $20.11.Shapiro and Louison said that Lawrence's decision to match the senior gift was "so generous.""He's been supportive 100 percent of the way," said Shapiro. Louison said that he and Shapiro met with Lawrence in the fall during his transition into his role as University President and that Lawrence was supportive of a "strong sense of community."Shapiro and Louison said that they organized several events to raise funds for the senior class gift, such as bar nights; "When We Were Seniors," where then-President Jehuda Reinharz and President-elect Lawrence spoke about their experiences as college seniors; the "100 Days Until Graduation" party hosted at the Stein; and the B-Seniors week, which Shapiro said provided opportunities for seniors to "look back and look forward" and receive pins in recognition of their contribution to the class gift.Louison spoke on the importance of the pins, saying "there's no real recognition that students get on their gowns at graduation ... so this will be really standing out and showing that alumni, students and parents are all giving back to the University."Seniors can continue to donate through the committee's website, according to Louison. Shapiro said that the committee is distributing pledge cards at different activities and events. Donations will be collected throughout Senior Sign Out and Senior Week, and historically most of the donations are received during this time, according to Louison."It's been a really exciting year," Louison said. Louison added that he hopes this will set a new standard for senior gifts so that the Class of 2012 can aspire to give back even more.
(04/12/11 4:00am)
Prof. John Plotz (ENG) has been awarded a 2011-2012 academic year Guggenheim Fellowship for his current book project titled Semi-Detached: The Aesthetics of Partial Absorption, according to an April 9 BrandeisNOW article. "It feels fantastic," Plotz said in an interview with the Justice. He also said that the fellowship, which will grant him between 6 and 12 months that he may spend at his discretion for his work, will allow him to set aside time to focus on the research surrounding his project.According to Plotz, he will spend a few weeks in Kelmscott, England at the home of William Morris, a 19th-century poet and artist who Plotz said contributed greatly to his research."It's always been important for me to try spend more time getting inside his head, ... and that is what I hope to do during this research trip," said Plotz.According to its website, the Guggenheim Fellowship is awarded through two annual competitions to applicants who have "demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Candidates must apply to the Guggenheim Foundation to be considered for either competition. Applicants are reviewed by experts in their own field before a network of advisers and former Guggenheim Fellows submit reports on the applicants of their respective fields. Their recommendations are sent to a selection committee, which then makes the final decisions. Between 3,500 and 4,000 applications are received each year, and only about 220 of them receive the award each year. According to Plotz, his work on semi-detachment is about being absorbed in a piece of art while simultaneously being present in the real world. Plotz said that he looked at both modern and 19th-century mediums of art consumption in real life for his book. "This project really began with my thinking about what it means to ride around listening to your iPod while riding your bike," said Plotz.According to Plotz, his current project also stems from two previous projects: One, a book titled The Crowd: British Literature and Public Politics, which examined the role of crowds, riots and demonstrations in 19th-century British literature, and his more recent book titled Portable Property: Victorian Culture on the Move, which looks at the role portable items such as jewelry and other trinkets in the lives of members of Victorian society."[This project] brings together a bunch of things I have been thinking about for a long time," said Plotz. Plotz also said that he had begun his project by focusing on semi-detachment in the 21st-century.However, like in his two former projects, he soon broadened the scope of the project so it now includes 19th-century ideas, specifically art."For the first time, I really found a way to talk about 19th century paintings, which is something that I wanted to do for a long time," said Plotz. "I realize [semi-detachment] applies, not just to our own lives nowadays, but that it really helps me understand a lot of paintings that I really love from the Victorian period."Plotz said that while comparing semi-detachment in both time periods, he knew that there would be differences between the two."I knew one big difference was going to be this whole notion of a wired generation," said Plotz, meaning the question regarding if current generations, especially the college-age generation, are "hardwired" differently from members of previous generations. Plotz noted that interactions with social media as well as consumption of media through the Internet and electronic devices would also be a main difference and question to explore in terms of literature, music and art. However, Plotz also said that there were similarities between semi-detachment concerning 19th-century art and that of 21st-century media. He described these similarities, listing the central issue of being immersed in a piece of art or being detached from real life, while still dealing with everyday issues as an example.
(04/05/11 4:00am)
Last Thursday in Pearlman Hall, the Jewish Voice for Peace hosted Palestinian speakers Amer Shurrab and Mira Dabit as part of the We Divest! tour which promotes the boycott and divestment of as well as sanctions against the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund-a financial service that includes a retirement system. According to the tour's website, the purpose of the movement is to stop TIAA-CREF from investing in large companies that profit from the Israeli occupation.Dabit and Shurrab spoke about their personal perspectives as Palestinian students in the West Bank, which according to the speaker is currently under Israeli occupation. Dabit, who studied Psychology and Sociology at Birzeit University in the West Bank, said that her experience going to school in the West Bank "has not been an easy one."Dabit said that the amount of Palestinian students studying in the West Bank has dropped from 35 percent of the total student population to about 15 students per school. According to Dabit and Shurrab, many schools and universities have either been damaged or destroyed by Israeli artillery.In addition, Dabit said "from the year 2000 to about the year 2005, there was a checkpoint. . It was a ditch in the ground for about 2 kilometers. . This checkpoint blocked the way of 38 villages." Dabit said that anyone who came to Ramallah had to walk the 2-kilometer checkpoint.Dabit said that this checkpoint was replaced by others that were "army jeeps that literally blocked the way and stopped the cars from passing, and this actually took more time [for students to] come and go to the university." "The army would often, when students were passing by in the street, basically find someone, stop them from a distance, ask them to show their bodies . and show that [they] have no weapons or explosives on [them]. . [They] are being watched by everyone passing by," Dabit said.According to Dabit, who is currently a political and youth worker, activists in the area are often punished with detention for meeting to discuss political issues. "Students are so afraid of being arrested that they go into hiding," Dabit said. According to Shurrab, who grew up in Gaza and attended Middlebury College, about 98 percent of Gazan children have suffered psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, as a result of attacks from Israeli soldiers."I've never experienced what freedom means," said Dabit. "I have no idea what it means to be a free person. I have no idea what it means to have rights as a human being."Shurrab suggested joining the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement in order to support Palestinian students and residents of the West Bank. "[BDS] is not about taking sides. It's not about supporting one or the other," said Shurrab. "It's about human rights. It's about equality."JVP circulated a petition among the audience that was in support of the BDS movement against TIAA-CREF."[The event] was good because it was very personal," said Paraska Tolan '11. "I already know a lot [about the situation] and it's easy to go into broad generalizations but when it's about a personal story, it's a lot more effective.""I feel that whenever something is very emotional based, it's hard to garner my support for it unless I gather other sources," said Caitlin Fay '12, who did not sign a petition in support of BDS. "There was that initial shock and horror," Shurrab said about the audience's reception of his personal experiences in an interview with the Justice. "Everyone wanted to know what they can do. People wanted to get involved, to do something about it." "That's why we're not only talking about our personal experiences," he later said. "We're offering something that people can actually do.
(04/05/11 4:00am)
Last Thursday, about 1,500 students, professors, alumni, and members of the University gathered in the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center to commemorate the official inauguration of University President Frederick Lawrence. In his address, Lawrence stated that he would "devote every fiber of [his] being" to "nurture" the University. "This is not a pledge that I can fulfill alone," continued Lawrence. "Brandeis has always been about community-the Brandeis family-and now more than ever, we draw together as a family to chart our course in the years ahead.""The challenge we face is literally the challenge to justify the liberal arts tradition on which we are founded," said Lawrence. Lawrence delivered a "challenge" to members of the University: "Find a mentor who inspires you," Lawrence said to students. "Be a mentor for others and inspire them."Lawrence told students to take classes outside of their "comfort zone," to "study hard," to "have fun," to "care for each other," to enjoy their time at school and to keep their connections with the University after graduation.To alumni, he said, "You have rights as a member of this family, but you have responsibilities as well," said Lawrence. "Remember who you were when you were here and connect with that person and with us."To the trustees, Lawrence said, "Dream with me and work with me as we build a greater university and inspire a new generation." "Hold fast to that intellectual curiosity that first brought you to the academy," Lawrence said to faculty members. "Take risks. Inspire each other to take risks.""I promise you," said Lawrence to the audience, "We will listen. We will be open to new ideas. We will encourage open debate. We will lead by example. We will be unafraid to confront the challenges ahead."The inauguration ceremony began with the presentation of the procession, announced by Associate Vice President John Hose, followed by an invocation delivered by Rabbi William G. Hamilton of Kehillath Israel of Brookline, Mass., of which Lawrence is a member. Chair of the Board of Trustees Malcolm Sherman delivered a welcome message, saying that during the search process for the University's president, Lawrence demonstrated himself as the candidate who "best embodied the personal [and] professional" qualities to serve the University.Professor and Chair of the Faculty Senate Timothy Hickey (COSI) delivered greetings from the faculty and spoke of the faculty's anticipation of Lawrence's term as president. "For the past several months," said Hickey, "we've enjoyed getting to know you as a respected colleague and an admired leader." Hickey said that Lawrence's arrival brought a "renewed sense of well-justified optimism" about the University's future. "You have demonstrated an ability to lead by uniting the community behind a common mission," said Hickey.Hickey was followed by Student Union President Daniel Acheampong '11, who said that from his and Lawrence's first meeting, he knew that Lawrence was the "right man for the job." "He wanted to know about student concerns," said Acheampong. "He was passionate about the student body, and he wanted to get involved immediately." Acheampong also noted Larwence's decision to include students on the search committee for a new provost and his participation in the Battle of the Brandeis DJs event."I believe in your dream to make Brandeis a global example," said Acheampong to Lawrence. "I believe in your dream to push Brandeis to unexplored territories and heights."President of the Graduate Student Union Jane Harries also welcomed Lawrence and said that she was enthusiastic about Lawrence's decision to include students in processes such as searching for provosts and other administrative positions. President of the Alumni Association Allen Alter '71 also welcomed Lawrence, calling him the "right fit" for the University and said that the alumni would work with the president to build an "even better Brandeis."President of the Brandeis National Committee Leslie Pearlstein said that all of the committee's chapters agreed that Lawrence was "down to earth" and "easy to talk to" and that the BNC would look forward to providing financial support to the University.President of Northwestern University Morton Schapiro said Brandeis is a "special place" because of its establishment as the only non-sectarian and Jewish-sponsored university and that its progress since its founding has been "nothing short of astounding." Schapiro noted that Brandeis is a member of the American Association of Universities and its position as a research university with a liberal arts focus. Schapiro told of "witty" comments made by former university presidents and joked that he was glad the Lawrence was not "scared away" by them.The ceremony was followed by a reception for attendees of the ceremony."Overall, ... I thought this was an amazing ceremony," said Senior Representative to the Alumni Association Sam Fuchs '11 in an interview with the Justice. "I enjoyed all the speakers. I really liked President Lawrence's address; it just reaffirms what I already knew was true about him: that he's the perfect guy for the job.""It feels like the University has now been handed to a great leader who is going to do fantastically well, and I look forward to hearing about his great achievements and I will do whatever I can to help him," said President Emeritus Jehuda Reinharz in an interview with the Justice."I thought it was amazing, it was well put-together, and all the speakers offered encouraging words that really spoke to me and I know really spoke to President Lawrence," said Stephanie Johnson '13 in an interview with the Justice."I think this is a fabulous day for the whole campus community and even beyond. I think the energy and excitement and happiness in the room is palpable," said Provost Marty Krauss in an interview with the Justice. "I think everyone is just very optimistic and happy for him and his family and happy for us."Lawrence was appointed as President-elect in May 2010, succeeding Reinharz. Lawrence is the eighth person to serve as University President since the University's establishment in 1948.-Brian Fromm, Emily Kraus, Fiona Lockyer and Andrew Wingens contributed reporting
(04/05/11 4:00am)
University graduate students presented their research at the fourth- annual Graduate Student Poster Research Symposium held over the course of last week leading up to the inauguration of University President Frederick Lawrence. At the symposium, students presented what they had been researching throughout their time at the University. The symposium featured 12 posters that were displayed in the Art Gallery in the Shapiro Campus Center from master's and doctorate students throughout the week. In addition, two receptions were held with the presenters to discuss their research. The posters, some of which were professionally printed through scholarships made possible by workshops provided by Assistant Provost for Graduate Student Affairs Alwina Bennett, displayed information gathered and research conducted by the students and their findings. Graduate student Senator Zachary Matusheski, who coordinated the symposium, said in an interview with the Justice that a panel of faculty from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management and the International Business School narrowed down the submissions to 12 presenters. According to Bennett in an interview with the Justice, submissions were chosen based on the overall strength of the presentation. Four research presentations were given awards based on votes that were cast by graduate student senators, faculty and staff who viewed the posters, according to Bennett. Both Bennett and Matusheski said that about 100 people attended the event during the 2 days when the receptions were held.Matusheski said that the symposium would complement the two faculty symposiums that were also held as a part of the inauguration week. Bennett, who sat on the Inauguration Planning Committee, worked with the committee to hold the symposium as a part of inauguration week.According to Bennett, Sara Wooten (GRAD) and Xiaolin Li (GRAD) received provost awards which, according to the inaugural website, were given for "overall excellence." In addition, Yue Pan (GRAD) and Kristen Sutherland (GRAD) were given Graduate Student Association prizes.Wooten wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that her poster displayed her findings of a study she conducted among college and university LGBTQ students in the Boston area and their experiences of sexual violence."I am trying to bridge the gap between what we know about campus rape culture and what we know about LGBTQ experiences of harassment and marginalization on their campuses," wrote Wooten.According to Wooten, 40.9 percent of participants experienced some form of unwanted sexual harassment during college. One in five participants said that they were sexually assaulted and one in 14 said they were raped."My colleagues who participated in the symposium as well are engaged in incredibly exciting and important research, so I really felt in the presence of greatness throughout the event," wrote Wooten. "This project is something that I am truly passionate about, so to receive this sort of recognition is incredibly encouraging." In an interview with the Justice, Pan said the symposium "was a great chance for the graduate students in different areas to exchange their ideas and to show my work to [people] who are not majoring in science."Pan wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that his poster displayed his research on the use of novelnanomaterials for multifunctional anticancer therapy, a way to kill cancer cells and tumors as a type of cancer treatment.Another presenter, Monica Curca (GRAD), explained in an interview with the Justice that she researched the use of social marketing to promote social action in order to encourage peacebuilding and conflict resolution. "It was great that they could show research that was more qualitative research as well as quantitative research," said Curca.
(03/29/11 4:00am)
This past Sunday, the Department of Public Safety officially launched its website and texting service for its GPS tracking system. In an interview with the Justice, Head Coordinator of Operations for the Department of Public Safety's Escort Safety Service and Executive Senator for the Student Union Abraham Berin '11 explained that the service will be used for tracking the the Daytime Campus, the Daytime Waltham and Boston/Cambridge Crystal Shuttles in real time.The service, which is known as Bus Line Information Program, or Blirp-It, consists of a website that lists locations of the shuttles given by GPS units installed on the vehicles. The website also provides the predicted times of arrival for shuttles at their next stops, information which students can opt to have sent to them via text message.According to Berin, the website has been functioning properly since its release to the student body on March 27. "The site has been running pretty well," said Berin. "Anybody who logs onto the website can see exactly where the buses are at any time that they're running."In an e-mail to the Justice, Director of Public Safety Ed Callahan wrote, "the service has been running very smoothly so far. When the buses are active, the GPS website demonstrates the accurate locations of the shuttles." However, Callahan also wrote that "the texting feature has some minor inaccuracies during peak traffic hours and this is being developed further." Berin said that the text message service is still undergoing testing and is working "95 to 99 percent of the time."According to Berin, the main problem with the texting service is the inability for the system to detect when the shuttles are delayed by traffic during peak hours, which creates inaccuracies in the arrival time. The system cannot tell when the shuttles are in traffic until it notices that the speeds of the shuttles are lower than usual. However, Berin said that the website's information on the shuttles' location is always accurate.According to Berin, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of University Services and Blirp-It are working on the texting feature and looking for ways to ensure that traffic issues do not distort the information that is provided to students via text. Berin says he expects the service to improve "little by little every day." "Most of the functionality is there," said Berin. "It's just making sure that it works flawlessly."Berin said that the feedback he has received from the student body since the launch has been very positive and that the Student Union has ordered carabiners and pens that bear the website's URL to distribute in order to promote the service. In addition, an e-mail will be sent to the undergraduate student body from Student Union President Daniel Acheampong '11 in the near future. "The service will provide peace of mind to students using our shuttle transportation options," wrote Callahan.
(03/22/11 4:00am)
The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee voted during its March 3 meeting to approve a proposal that would raise the standards for students graduating with Latin honors beginning with the Class of 2016, Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe said in an interview with the Justice.The proposal would not affect any students currently enrolled at the University, Dean of Academic Services Kim Godsoe said in an interview with the Justice.According to Jaffe, the proposal states that the top 30 percent of the graduating senior class would receive Latin honors as opposed to the current system, which is based on gradepoint average. Within that 30 percent, students must be in the top 5 percent of their class to be considered for summa cum laude, though only students who also qualify for departmental honors (less than 5 percent) would graduate summa cum laude. The next 10 percent would be awarded magna cum laude in addition to students who are in the top five percent but who do not qualify for departmental honors, and the remaining 15 percent of students would graduate cum laude.According to Godsoe, the proposal must be voted on twice before it can be approved. The first vote will be during the next faculty meeting, which is on April 14, and the second vote will be held the meeting after. The proposal must be approved both times in order to be implemented. If the proposal is not passed in a vote, the UCC will analyze feedback from the faculty to determine whether to revise the proposal or not. "If it is pretty unanimous among the faculty that they believe that [the UCC] shouldn't change [Latin] honors, then it's probably something that will not go back to the committee," said Godsoe. However, Godsoe added that if the faculty presents recommendations for the proposal, it would be reviewed by the UCC.According to Jaffe, current Latin honors at the University are awarded to members of the graduating class based on GPA. He further explained that students with a GPA of at least 3.5 graduate cum laude. To graduate magna cum laude, students must have a GPA of at least 3.7, and they need a 3.8 GPA and departmental honors to be awarded summa cum laude. Last year, 59 percent of graduating seniors were awarded some type of Latin honors, according to Jaffe. Out of that 59 percent, 25 percent of the graduating class was awarded cum laude, 23 percent was awarded magna cum laude and 11 percent was awarded summa cum laude, according to Jaffe in a follow-up e-mail to the Justice.Jaffe stated that the percentage of the graduating class receiving Latin honors has been increasing since 2006. Among the members of the Class of 2006, 49 percent of students received Latin honors. That ratio remained the same for the Class of 2007 and rose to 51 percent for the Class of 2008, and then to 52 percent for the Class of 2009.Jaffe said that for the past academic year, the UCC had been discussing the possibility of raising the standards but declined to list which specific members drafted the actual proposal.Godsoe said that the UCC found that the University had been distributing Latin honors at a higher rate compared to what Godsoe referred to as "other highly selective universities" in the United States. Jaffe said that the current distribution method is not an "appropriate way of using Latin honors" because the Latin honors are "supposed to be a recognition of extraordinary academic accomplishment" and would be better demonstrated with the UCC's new proposal.
(03/22/11 4:00am)
The Jewish Voice for Peace opened a petition to the Brandeis community Sunday night requesting that Hillel at Brandeis accept JVP as a member group after Hillel's recent decision not to include it.According to co-founder of JVP Liza Behrendt '11, the petition was created after various discussions with members of the Brandeis community following the decision."[JVP realized] that there is a lot of outrage about Hillel's decision and a lot of support for a change," said Behrendt. Fliers distributed by JVP members at the Usdan Student Center list a website where individuals can sign the petition, as well as arguments to include JVP as a Hillel member group and upcoming events to be hosted by JVP. The flier says that Hillel at Brandeis has included "all other Jewish groups" on campus and that institutions like Hillel should include "different approaches to peace." JVP says that the decision to not include Hillel "has denied students the opportunity to discuss" issues such as the boycott of products made in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, an act the JVP supports.According to Behrendt, JVP is not aiming for a specific number of signatures but says that it will present the petition to Hillel and ask the student board to reconsider its decision if JVP demonstrates that it has gained support from the Brandeis community.In an e-mail to the Justice, Hillel at Brandeis President Andrea Wexler '11 wrote that the petition process "has been very peaceful and professional" and that JVP has the right to free speech and to create a petition.Wexler also wrote in the same e-mail that the decision to exclude JVP was based on guidelines set by the International Hillel organization which stated that JVP was not eligible to be a member group of Hillel because of its support of boycotts of Israeli products in the West Bank settlements and is not "subject to an appeal by petition."Behrendt said that "it's important to remember that the Hillel guidelines are guidelines. They're not binding rules." She and added that each Hillel group is free to interpret the guidelines however it believes is appropriate. According to the guidelines found on the International Hillel organization's website, Hillel cannot partner with groups that "[support] boycott of, divestment from, or sanctions against the State of Israel."Behrendt said that Hillel at Brandeis's decision is "representative of a much larger problem of restrictions on dialogue within the Jewish community."In the flier circulated in support of the petition, JVP says that Hillel at Brandeis's constitution is devoted to a "pluralistic community," inclusive of all opinions and discussions. According to Hillel at Brandeis's constitution, membership is "extended to every undergraduate and graduate student enrolled at [the] University."Behrendt said that since the decision, Hillel at Brandeis has not reached out to JVP for any type of discussion or collaboration. Wexler confirmed this but added in her e-mail, "We have had many previous, productive discussions" and that Hillel at Brandeis is "still very much interested in working with [JVP] in the future."When asked about support for Hillel's decision, Wexler wrote that Hillel at Brandeis has received "many e-mails and phone calls" in support the board's recent decision.
(03/15/11 4:00am)
The Brandeis Hillel has decided not to include the Brandeis chapter of the Jewish Voice for Peace as a member group under its umbrella, according to a March 9 JVP press release.According to the Executive Director of Hillel Brandeis Larry Sternberg in an interview with the Justice, the Hillel Brandeis 11- member student board found that JVP's overall views on Israel conflicted with their own.In an interview with the Justice, Brandeis Hillel President Andrea Wexler '11 said that Hillel supports Israel being a "Jewish, democratic state with definable borders." When asked how JVP's views on Israel differed from those of Hillel's, Sternberg said that JVP members expressed that they believe that Israel should be a democratic state with Jewish values.In an e-mail to the Justice, Behrendt wrote "JVP supports Israel's right to security, sovereignty, and self-determination, and to remain a democratic state based on Jewish values." According to its website, the JVP is a national Jewish activist organization that supports peace between Israelis and Palestinians in the Middle East.Wexler said that before making the decision, the student board reviewed the JVP's constitution and past activities and consulted guidelines set forth by the international Hillel organization, which can be found on its website.According to the JVP press release, the group was denied Hillel membership as a group because of its support of boycotts of Israeli goods produced in settlements in the West Bank. The settlements, according to co-founder of JVP Liza Behrendt '11, are a violation of international law which the JVP refuses to support by consuming goods made there.According to the guidelines on the International Hillel's website, Hillel does not partner with groups that "[support] boycott of, divestment from, or sanctions against the State of Israel."In a phone interview with the Justice, Jeff Rubin, associate vice president of communications at the global Hillel organization, said that any boycott of Israeli products is considered anti-Israel, regardless of where in Israel the products are made. In a follow-up e-mail to the Justice, Rubin said that the JVP "falls outside of [international Hillel] guidelines for acceptable partners." Behrendt said that she was "disappointed" with Hillel's decision to not accept the JVP as a member group."This was an excellent opportunity for dialogue and growth," said Behrendt. "[The decision] was a real letdown."Behrendt added in a follow-up e-mail that she believes that the guidelines set forth by Hillel promote a "blind support of Israel.""Either you support all of Israel's policies or you oppose [Israel]," she said. Behrendt said she believes that the guidelines set by the global Hillel organization state that member groups must support all policies set by the government in order to be considered supportive of Israel. However, Rubin said that Hillel does not reject a group if it does not agree with some of Israel's policies and according to the international Hillel's guidelines, it "strives to create an inclusive, pluralistic community where students can discuss matters of interest and/or concern about Israel and the Jewish people in a civil manner." Wexler said that the student board consulted only the guidelines and Hillel Brandeis staff, but that the student board also supports and holds the same views on Israel, as do the guidelines set by the international Hillel organization.According to Sternberg, he was contacted by the global Hillel organization. "They noted with approval that the students had referenced the guidelines," said Sternberg. Wexler said that although Hillel does not recognize the JVP, she would still like to work with its members in the future by co-sponsoring events and promoting discussion between the JVP and Hillel groups. Rubin also said that groups excluded from Hillel membership are not barred from Hillel activities and that he encourages discourse between such groups and Hillel. Wexler also said that any students, whether or not they belong to a certain group, are welcome within Hillel to exchange ideas and hold discussions about issues regarding Israel.Sternberg said that although Hillel endorses any events sponsored by member groups, any group has the opportunity to work with Hillel to sponsor on-campus events, including JVP.Behrendt said that she had not yet confirmed what the JVP is planning to do in the near future or if it will be in contact with Hillel.
(03/08/11 5:00am)
Dean of the International Business School Bruce Magid is part of a delegation accompanying Governor Deval Patrick on the Massachusetts Innovation Economy Partnership Mission 2011 to Israel and the United Kingdom, according to a Feb. 9 press release from the governor's office.According to the press release, the delegation arrived in Israel yesterday and will leave the U.K. March 17. At these meetings, the delegation holds panels and speaks with both government and business leaders about ways to expand the Massachusetts economy through investments, job growth and partnerships.In a phone interview with the Justice, Magid said that the purpose of the mission is to attract foreign investments to Massachusetts and to create employment and economic growth.Magid will participate in three panels during the delegation's time in Israel and will speak about partnership opportunities between Massachusetts and Israeli businesses as well as the contribution of higher education. One panel Magid will speak on will discuss life sciences and information, another will be about about information technology, and the third will be on the characteristics of economies and opportunities for collaboration between them.Brandeis is one of two educational institutions represented in the delegation, joined by the University of Massachusetts, which will be represented by its incoming president, Robert Caret. "[Patrick] wanted to include higher education as well as public and private officials specifically because he views that education plays a number of roles" in strengthening economies, said Magid.One of those roles, according to Magid, is providing an academic setting to exchange ideas between innovators. Magid also said that a collaboration with institutes of higher education also encourages research in those schools that can be utilized by industry leaders to apply to business models and make informed decisions. Additionally, he stated that universities such as Brandeis can benefit by creating study abroad opportunities for both Israeli students in Massachusetts and Massachusetts students looking to study in Israel. Magid said that he will also be available to speak with government officials and reporters in Israel about the "benefits of international trade and investments."In addition, Magid will also participate in a panel while the delegation is in the U.K., though he does not yet know the details of that discussion.Magid said that he was informally approached to be a part of the delegation by one of Patrick's top aides on the evening of Patrick's most recent inauguration, Jan. 6, 2011. Magid then received a phone call in early February of this year inviting the University to participate in the delegation. According to Magid, it was originally planned that both he and University President Frederick Lawrence would serve on the delegation. However, Lawrence was not able to attend the mission due to previously scheduled commitments. "I'm happy to have [Magid] joining our great coalition of leaders on this trade mission," said Patrick in a statement provided by Matthew Parillo, the director of marketing and communications at IBS. "Bruce is at the forefront of our innovation economy, and we know his expertise will go a long way towards forging lasting economic ties and partnerships between Massachusetts and Israel."In addition to serving as the Dean of the International Business School, Magid is also a member of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, which, according to Magid, is responsible for "promoting international trade and investment" in the state. He will serve on the official business delegation that will accompany an official government delegation to Israel and the U.K.Magid said that the purpose of having both a government delegation and a business delegation is to create a bond between the public sector, or government officials, and the private sector, or business executives."You want the public and private sector to be working jointly and in collaboration to identify opportunities for trade and job creation," said Magid. "It's really when you get collaborative partnership between the public sector and the private sector that you can really both not only come up with policy but create the action steps to promote growth and create employment."Employment creation and economic growth and expansion, Magid said, is one of the potential benefits for Massachusetts, Israel and the U.K. as a result of this trade mission. "These types of missions ... are a win-win for all of the economies involved," said Magid. "[The mission] will create more jobs. It will lead to faster economic growth, which results in the ability for the government to fund new initiatives."Magid said that the mission could serve as an opportunity to promote the capacity of science research at the University as well as students who want to apply for internships for Israeli and U.K. companies. "We're very excited about this opportunity for Brandeis University and the Brandeis International Business School," said Magid.
(03/08/11 5:00am)
The Heller School for Social Policy and Management is currently implementing a policy to have faculty from the Undergraduate School of Arts and Sciences affiliate with the Heller School, according to Dean of the Heller School Lisa Lynch in an interview with the Justice.These affiliates, according to Lynch, would be able to teach or co-teach courses, give guest lectures, serve as resources to students in doctoral programs at Heller or collaborate in research at any of the centers or institutes. According to an Aug. 9, 2010 proposal titled "Policy on Affiliated Faculty" outlining the details of the policy, nominees must hold a primary position in one of the University's other schools and be sponsored by a member of the Heller faculty. Nominations would be due by April 1, before the April Heller School faculty meeting. Sponsors for the nominees-scientists, fellows or other faculty members-will complete and submit a rationale, along with specific activities during the affiliate's term. The nominee would then have to be approved by Heller faculty, Lynch and the chair of the department with which the nominee would be affiliated. The nominee would then serve a 3-year term as an affiliate, which could be renewed.During his or her term, an affiliate is listed as Heller faculty but is ineligible to vote in Heller faculty meetings.According to the proposal, the goal of affiliation is to "recognize and facilitate the involvement in The Heller School of faculty from other parts of the University." Lynch said that faculty from the Heller School have been affiliated with Arts and Sciences in the past, such as Prof. Anita Hill (Heller), who is affiliated with the Women's and Gender Studies program; Prof. Tom Shapiro (Heller), who is affiliated with the Sociology department; and Senior Lecturer Joan Kaufman (Heller), who is affiliated with the East Asian Studies Program."We've had the affiliations happening, and they're becoming more robust," said Lynch. The goal, says Lynch, is to have a concrete process for appointing affiliates to Heller. Lynch said that the affiliation policy was based off of a model proposed by Dean of Arts and Sciences Adam Jaffe last fall. The model Jaffe proposed was designed for faculty who would be affiliated with Arts and Sciences. The model was adjusted to accommodate for the lower number of courses taught at Heller and the increased demand of theses by students at Heller than at Arts and Sciences. Lynch said that Jaffe and Arts and Sciences department chairs approved nine new faculty members to Heller. Eight are from Arts and Sciences and one is from the International Business School. The affiliates were approved last month. The proposal itself was approved by the Heller faculty last fall. Lynch said that the department chairs were all very enthusiastic about the affiliation program. "This is a wonderful way of integrating the University and sharing resources," said Lynch. "This is an intellectual community that is coming together," she later continued. "Barriers are coming down, and we're trying to promote vibrant exchange of ideas to the benefit of our students and to the benefit of our faculty and researchers."According to Lynch, having affiliates among the schools would provide students with a larger amount of resources and creates more possibilities for organizing a course as well as more opportunities for student research. Lynch said that there is no fixed number of affiliates that Heller aims to approve, but each nominee for affiliation will be reviewed by faculty to examine if the affiliation will be beneficial for the department or the school.According to Lynch, the biggest obstacle with appointing affiliates is personal time constraints of faculty. "There are so many other competing demands for [one's] time," said Lynch. "All parties are agreeing to set aside their scarce time to really make an investment to get to know this particular department or school or group of faculty members better [to work with them].
(02/15/11 5:00am)
The Student Union has formed a Social Life Committee, aiming to improve student social life on campus, according to a Feb. 8 press release from the Student Union Executive Board. The press release stated that the committee "will consolidate resources and communications, share ideas, and may provide financial support to plan and improve parties/events." According to the press release, the committee is comprised of Student Union President and committee chair Daniel Acheampong '11; Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes, who helped Acheampong form the committee; Student Union Treasurer Akash Vadalia '12; Union Director of Community Advocacy Sarah Geller '13; Kathy Lawrence of the office of the President; Student Events director Lauren Brodsky '11 and other unnamed representatives from Student Events; Associate Director of Student Activities Nicole Chabot-Wieferich; Director of the Intercultural Center Monique Gnanaratnam; in addition to leaders of clubs with large event budgets. These leaders include Can Nahum '12 of the International Club, Mary Dunn '12 of Triskelion and Michael Zonenashvili '13 of the Punk, Rock n' Roll Club.The Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps also agreed to provide its input to the committee since it "plays an important role in students' health and social life," wrote Acheampong said in an e-mail to the Justice. "[The groups] all play a different role on campus," said Acheampong in a phone interview with the Justice. "I wanted to bring them all together."Acheampong said he developed the idea of forming a committee focused on social life after the weekend of Oct. 23, when two students were arrested and several students were hospitalized.He said he had brought up and discussed the proposal of a committee with the Board of Trustees and with Grimes before discussing it with different members of the committee.In a phone interview with the Justice, Undergraduate Student Representative to Board of Trustees Heddy Ben-Atar '11 said that the Board of Trustees supports the Social Life Committee."[Daniel and I] brought [the idea] up to [the Board of Trustees] in a meeting in October and it's something that concerns them ... and it's something that they want to address and they want our input on it," said Ben-Atar, who also helped form the committee.Acheampong said that he had personally reached out to these individuals and organizations about forming the committee. He does not plan to add new members in the near future to ensure that the committee would not be too large and slow down discussion and progress. As for appointing new members in the future when current ones graduate, Acheampong said that he would still like to keep the committee small and focused but said that new members of represented clubs would be trained to be on the committee in order to ensure a high level of commitment. Acheampong said that, despite his desire to keep the committee small, the committee welcomes ideas from other students and clubs on campus.The committee had its inaugural meeting Feb. 8. According to Acheampong, one issue discussed at the meeting was the committee's role in looking at large organized events on campus as well as more casual on-campus gatherings and parties. Ben-Atar said that the committee will look at past events on campus and analyze what has been successful and what has not and then decide how to help structure future events. However, Ben-Atar said that the goal of the committee is not to plan its own events but provide input and resources for future events.In an e-mail to the Justice, Grimes wrote that the committee "will assess what aspects of social life are most lacking for current Brandeis students" and "hopefully can gain insight on what elements are currently lacking and evaluate what is successful now.""I don't see [campus] social life as something lacking," said Nahum in an interview with the Justice. "But there is room for improvement."Acheampong stated that there will be another meeting in the near future to continue discussion on ways to improve on-campus social life.Nahum announced that there would be an event on March 5 that the committee is working on and said to "look for flyers."Acheampong said that the SLC will be a permanent committee at the University."This is not a committee that is going to go away," said Acheampong. "This is a committee that's going to be there, that's going to really work hard with students, work with administrators, making sure we are providing excellent resources for our students." -Fiona Lockyer contributed reporting.
(02/08/11 5:00am)
Senator for East Quad Albert Feldman '13 has resigned from his position, according to a Feb. 4 press release from the Student Union.According to a Feb. 7 e-mail to the Justice from Student Union Secretary Herbie Rosen '12, Feldman resigned on Jan. 31, but Rosen said that he did not know the reason for Feldman's resignation.In a Feb. 7 e-mail to the Justice, Executive Senator and Senator for the Class of 2011 Abraham Berin also said that he did not know why Feldman resigned."I personally did not speak with him," said Berin. "I was informed that he resigned when Herbie disclosed that they were replacing the East Quad Senator. I just know he hasn't been to any Senate meetings since the beginning of this semester; he had been to all of the Senate meetings last semester."Feldman declined requests for comment.The press release did not state why Feldman chose to resign but said that the Student Union looks forward to working with a new Senator for East Quad, "whoever that may be."The Student Union press release praised Feldman for his contribution as senator: "We commend him for his hard work and dedication to the student body while a member of the Senate."Feldman was first sworn in to the Student Union as Senator for Village Quad in February 2010 and was sworn in as Senator for East Quad in Oct. 2010. During his time as senator, Feldman has worked with Berin and Senator for the Class of 2012 Liya Kahan to organize the Thanksgiving Turkey Shuttles. The shuttles provide transportation for students to South Station and Logan Airport in Boston and Pennsylvania Station in New York before Thanksgiving break. Feldman organized ticket sales and co-drafted a Senate Money Resolution.Feldman also drafted a Senate Money Resolution for the 'DeisBikes program. The program offers bike rentals to students on campus, according to a Nov. 16 Justice Senate log. The SMR allocated $25 for a logo enhancement competition.Additionally, Feldman organized a pumpkin carving event in East Quad last October. He proposed an SMR to allocate $250 for pumpkins, which was passed by the Senate.A special election to replace Feldman will be held tomorrow. (See article Students campaign for open senate seats).The students running for the position are Travis Rapoza '13, Ravnit Bhatia '13 and Andrew Hayes '13.-Fiona Lockyer contributed reporting.
(02/08/11 5:00am)
Seth Grande '12 has been awarded with one of the four 2010 Humane Society of the United States Student Leadership Awards, according to a Jan. 31 press release from the Humane Society of the United States. Grande was recognized for his collaboration with Brandeis University Dining Services to switch to serving only cage-free eggs.In a phone interview with the Justice, Grande said he was notified about 2 weeks before the press release that he would be receiving an award. Grande was one of four students, all from colleges or universities, recognized for working with their dining services "to create more humane practices," according to the spokesperson for the Humane Society of the United States Josh Balk in a phone interview with the Justice. Balk said all recipients of the award worked specifically with their respective university's dining services to serve cage-free eggs on their campuses. According to Balk, the Humane Society of the United States found out about Grande and his efforts in March 2010 when Grande called the organization to ask what he could do to further promote cage-free eggs to Brandeis' Dining Services."Seth exhibited tremendous leadership and professionalism in moving the campus to switch to cage-free eggs," said Balk. Grande said that he took up the cage-free egg initiative at the beginning of the fall 2010 semester. Grande was a member of the Real Food Coalition, which is now affiliated with the Students for Environmental Action, which began its campaign by asking students to sign a petition in support of serving cage-free eggs in dining halls. According to Grande, about 1,200 students signed the petition. Grande also gathered support from about ten faculty members, including Prof. Gordie Fellman (SOC).Grande said the Student Union helped the effort by passing a unanimous resolution on Oct. 31 to Dining Services advocating for cage-free eggs. "The Student Union gave [the cause] a lot of legitimacy," said Grande. "It made it much more weighty."According to Grande, the biggest obstacle was dealing with the lack of information among the Brandeis community about cage-free eggs and battery-cage systems. "People just didn't really know about the issue," said Grande. "[The Real Food Coalition] did a good job of educating people. When we told them about [the issue], people pretty much agreed." Grande also credited news media on campus for publicizing the issue and informing students. Student Union President Daniel Acheampong '11 announced in his past State of the Union address that the University will be serving exclusively cage-free eggs by fall 2011.According to the Humane Society's website, cage-free eggs are obtained from hens raised in a "significantly improved level of animal welfare" than hens raised in traditional battery cages. Balk explained that hens that are raised in a battery-cage system have less than the area of a sheet of standard letter-size paper to live in for their entire lives."Most hens are confined in barren wire cages so small they can't even spread their wings," said Balk. "The confinement of hens in battery cages is so cruel that it has been banned in states like California and Michigan."Balk praised both Dining Services and Grande for their collaboration on shifting to cage-free eggs."Brandeis University Dining Services deserves a lot of credit for its work to shift all of its eggs to cage-free," said Balk."Students like Seth who have successfully worked with dining operations have dramatically increased the welfare of many animals. We think this deserves praise," said Balk. "They deserve the recognition."When asked if he had any other initiatives after his success with cage-free eggs, Grande said he did not have any specific issues that he wanted to take on but would like to help other students who have issues they would like to resolve."There's a lot to be done," said Grande. "There are a lot of people with great ideas, and I'd love to be able to help."Grande also expressed interest in writing and blogging about food-related issues.
